FASHION BITES

THE BECKS EFFECT: DAVID BECKHAM made his official worldwide debut as the face (and, more pertinently, body), of Emporio Armani underwear in Milan yesterday - on a billboard measuring 310 square metres. The installation, located on via Cusani and via Broletto, was unveiled just in time for Milan Men's Fashion Week, which kicks off on January 12. [b] LEARNING THE ROPES: GAVIN DOUGLAS may be making waves with his own-name label, but that's not to say he's above a little expert guidance. The 2006 Fashion Fringe winner is currently working in the Beirut ateliers of Elie Saab, on a two-week internship to help with the label's upcoming couture collection. [b] TAKING CARE OF THE PENNIES: AMERICAN department store chain Macy's will close nine stores within a matter of weeks - which will affect around 900 employees. There has also been talk of the business embarking on other cost-cutting exercises, such as consolidating regional operations, according to WWD. [b] HOTTING UP: ABERCROMBIE & FITCH is planning to start publishing controversial magazine A&F Quarterly, which folded in the US in 2003 due to numerous boycotts over its racy content, exclusively in the UK. "The tolerance for less-regulated publications is higher, while the hunger for the Abercrombie brand is only on the rise," comments The Daily on the decision. [b] A CHRISTMAS BONUS: SELFRIDGES has reported a nine per cent increase in like-for-like sales in December. "Every store has grown ahead of 2006 and one of the stars of the show is our new Wonder Room, which is attracting customers from all over the world," the retailer's chief executive, Paul Kelly, told The Times. [b] IT'S KLEIN TIME: CALVIN KLEIN will open its first stand-alone store dedicated solely to ck watches and jewellery on London's South Molton Street in March. New watch collections Celerity and Spotlight, as well as new jewellery range Fractal, will be among the items showcased. [b] COMING UP ROSES: NOW the gossips have finally stopped speculating about Anne Hathaway signing with Lancôme, there's a new name making its way through the rumour mill: Justin Timberlake. Word has it the singer is on the verge of becoming the male face of Parfums Givenchy. [b] AS ONE DOOR CLOSES…: VERSACE is planning to open a store in Delhi – having recently closed its Mumbai outlet due to lack of demand. "Despite Mumbai being an attractive destination for a fashion giant, Delhi is a more practical choice in a lot many ways," Abhay Gupta, executive director of Indian Versace franchisee Blues Clothing Co, told WGSN. [b] ALL CHANGE: FORMER worldwide director of customer service at Prada SpA, Christophe Albarran, has been appointed president of Dolce & Gabbana's US operations. [b] THAT'S A WRAP: BETSEY JOHNSON has signed a license with The Levy Group to produce a collection of outerwear. The line - which will include rainwear, active jackets and more formal wool and fake fur coats - is due to launch this autumn. [b] SHE'S GOT THE LOOK: IT SEEMS Mischa Barton isn't too cut up about parting ways with Hollywood uber-stylist, Rachel Zoe - she's got her own style nailed. "For the most part, I put my own looks together," The OC star told Style magazine. "I just flick through magazines or notice stuff I like and call it in." [b] MUM'S THE WORD: NEW LOOK celebrity designer Lily Allen has been inundated with offers to design a maternity range since announcing her pregnancy at the end of December – but the singer, who is 22, isn't interested. "My demographic is generally young girls," she told the BBC. "I don't think a maternity line is particularly suitable." [b] TIME WARP: "A COMMON misperception of me is that I only do clothes for my age groups; it arises from the fact that I'm 57 years old," Bruce Oldfield confessed to The Independent this week. "People bring their daughters in for their wedding dress but not for a party or evening dress." [b] BABY LOVE: US LABEL Loeffler Randall has become the latest designer link-up for Target - but creative director Jessie Randall, who gave birth to twin boys last autumn, is modest about her influences. The designer she considers "most underrated"? "All the moms and grandmothers out there who have been knitting and quilting and making beautiful crafts and clothing for their children for generations," she told The Fashion Informer. (January 4 2008, AM) Leisa Barnett